Hygiene is a major concern in today´s society, and safe protection of everyday products, in hospitals, public places, or at home is highly valued by customers.

Algae, bacteria and fungi attack the surface of plastics, rubber and synthetic fibers and can result in: This microbial activity tremendously increases the maintenance required to keep both the aesthetics and hygiene in the finished product, and to prevent the reduction in the service life of the finished product.

Anti microbial can help protect plastics but they can also bring an interesting added value by impacting on the comfort and health image desired by end-users. Anti microbial are either natural or synthetic and are introduced in the material to kill or suppress the growth of algae, bacteria and/or fungi. Many technologies are available to solve micro-organisms related issues.

The different technologies are not equivalent and their selection depends on your applications and needs. They will bring specific benefits to your end-products.

Major Applications :

• Films
• PVC Flooring
• Toilets Seat Covers
• Tooth Brush
• Telephone Handsets
• PU-Foams
• Floor Cleaning Solutions
• Computer Key Boards & Mouse

Odor Development

Among all the effects of microbes on polymers, odor development is one of the most noticable for end-users. The use of an antimicrobial prevents odor development induced by microbial activity. This efficient protection can have a positive effect on the attractiveness of finished goods. Odor is a result of microbial metabolism and microbial break-down of organic residues into volatile components.

Reducing odors is an attractive benefit for many applications, such as clothing and waste containers. The most suitable technologies available to avoid odor development are

• Silver
• Thiabendazole
• Triclosan

Triclosan-based Antibacterial

Triclosan inhibits the growth of micro-organisms such as algae and bacteria by using an electro-chemical mode of action to penetrate and disrupt their cell walls. When the cell walls are penetrated, leakage of metabolites occurs and other cell functions are disabled, thereby preventing the micro-organism from functioning or reproducing. The recommended use level in polymer formulation is from 0.3 to 1.0%.

Key Attributes :

1. Processing temperature under 270°C
2. Food contact approval – EU (SML): 5 mg/kg
3. For indoor end-use applications